Where did I say (or even imply) that Gingrich was blameless?
That said, if he was the only one who failed this requirement I'd be more likely to blame (only) him. In fact all but two candidates didn't make it, which leads me to think that the requirement is out of line with the way campaigns usually collect signatures.
Second, this is the only state in which leading candidates did not get their names on the ballot. Again, this is prima facie evidence that VA's system is out of line with the way the rest of the country runs things. If there we multiple states in which Gingrich or another candidate had failed, I would look to the candidate and their organization to bear more responsibility. But this is a one-off.
Finally, VA prohibits write-in candidacy of any sort. I believe this is a (potentially unconstitutional) restriction on peoples' freedom to vote for their candidate of choice as well as their freedom of speech to use their vote as a symbolic protest.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2012-02-02 02:42 pm (UTC)That said, if he was the only one who failed this requirement I'd be more likely to blame (only) him. In fact all but two candidates didn't make it, which leads me to think that the requirement is out of line with the way campaigns usually collect signatures.
Second, this is the only state in which leading candidates did not get their names on the ballot. Again, this is prima facie evidence that VA's system is out of line with the way the rest of the country runs things. If there we multiple states in which Gingrich or another candidate had failed, I would look to the candidate and their organization to bear more responsibility. But this is a one-off.
Finally, VA prohibits write-in candidacy of any sort. I believe this is a (potentially unconstitutional) restriction on peoples' freedom to vote for their candidate of choice as well as their freedom of speech to use their vote as a symbolic protest.
Given all three of the above I call shenanigans.